MoveMakers and NewsMakers for Nov. 3, 2026

Kansas City

Lewis Rice is expanding its Kansas City presence with the addition of six experienced attorneys to its downtown office, effective December 1. The attorneys bring extensive experience in litigation, commercial real estate, corporate and business transactions, tax and estate planning, and related areas, further strengthening the firm’s ability to serve clients throughout the Kansas City region and beyond.

Joining Lewis Rice are Ronald S. Bronstein, Jason L. Buchanan, Thomas R. Buchanan, Michael J. Gorman, Andrew Zarda, and M. Spencer Cook.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ron, Tom, Michael, Jason, Andrew, and Spencer to Lewis Rice,” said Tom Martin, Kansas City office Managing Member. “Conversations about the possibility of joining Lewis Rice began several years ago with a few members of this group and evolved over time. This is an exceptionally experienced group of attorneys whose practices add meaningful depth to our team. Their knowledge and perspective will benefit our existing clients while also giving their clients access to the broader range of services and resources available through Lewis Rice. We look forward to what we can accomplish together in Kansas City.”

Ronald S. Bronstein joins the Corporate, Tax and Estate Planning Department. Bronstein has more than 30 years of experience advising clients on tax planning, estate planning, trust administration, probate, business planning, and related matters. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.

Jason L. Buchanan joins the Litigation Department. Buchanan has 24 years of experience handling complex civil litigation matters. He earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Thomas R. Buchanan joins the Litigation Department. Buchanan brings more than four decades of experience in litigation, including complex civil litigation and trial practice. He is certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is licensed to practice in Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.

Michael J. Gorman joins the Litigation Department. Gorman brings 40 years of experience representing clients in commercial litigation, banking litigation, and creditors’ rights matters. He earned his J.D. with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

Andrew Zarda joins the Commercial Real Estate Department. Zarda has 13 years of experience representing clients in commercial real estate and business transactions. His practice includes commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, financing, leasing, development, and related corporate and transactional matters, including contract negotiation and preparation, entity formation and organizational documents, due diligence, title and survey review, closing and loan document preparation and negotiation, bond financing, and 1031 like-kind exchanges. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.

M. Spencer Cook joins the Litigation Department as an associate and focuses his practice on civil litigation. He earned his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law.

The addition of the six attorneys represents an expansion of Lewis Rice’s Kansas City capabilities. Their combined experience strengthens the firm’s litigation, commercial real estate, corporate, tax, and estate planning practices, expanding the range of services and resources available to existing Lewis Rice clients.

The attorneys’ established client relationships will also benefit from the broader range of legal services and resources available through Lewis Rice. By bringing together complementary practices and areas of experience, the addition creates opportunities to provide clients with more comprehensive counsel as their legal and business needs evolve.

“We are very excited to join Lewis Rice and become part of a firm with such a strong reputation and talented team of attorneys,” said Jason L. Buchanan. “We look forward to working with our new colleagues and to expanding the services we can offer our clients through the resources and experience available across Lewis Rice. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to becoming part of the firm’s Kansas City office.”